Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

Today’s Cajun shrimp and rice recipe makes an utterly simple but delicious dish that happens to be one of our favorite ways to cook shrimp.

The shrimp is tossed in the Cajun seasoning before getting quickly sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and butter. The spice mixture sticks to the shrimp and gives it a golden- brown color that is loaded with flavors. The result is succulent, juicy shrimp layered in a distinctive warm and toasty base.

The Cajun seasoning is the star of this recipe. It elevates the shrimp and once combined with garlic and butter, the spice makes your regular weeknight dinner irresistible. Check out our Cajun Chicken Recipe and Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe to further explore the wonders of Cajun.

Cajun Seasoning for Shrimp

Save

Cajun seasoning is a rustic blend made of several ordinary spices found in most Cajun cuisine. The mixture has long been popular for amping up every type of protein — chicken, beef, seafood, you name it. Each Cajun seasoning blend tends to have its own spin, but in general, they all contain:

• Garlic powder
• Cayenne
• Oregano
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Various other seasonings and spices like thyme or white pepper can be added to adjust the experience. Some Cajun seasonings even include salt to boost the flavor. If you use a store-bought one, you’ll want to check the label and ingredient list so that you can account for the extra salt it adds to the recipe.

You can also try making Cajun seasoning from the ingredients in your pantry and save it for later use. The homemade variant should be kept in an airtight container and placed in a cool, dry place for maximum shelf life — usually around 6 months.

Is Cajun Shrimp Spicy?

Yes, in general, Cajun shrimp features a nice touch of heat. The chili powder and cayenne pepper are the key components that lend the dish its signature kick.

Is This Recipe Healthy?

Our Cajun shrimp recipe is made from scratch with carefully measured ingredients and nutrition in mind, so yes, it is healthy.

Since shrimp is the main ingredient, this recipe is high in protein. One serving of our Cajun shrimp contains up to 36.4 g protein, which is approximately 70% of your recommended daily intake.

Save

Though our Cajun shrimp recipe includes butter and several seasonings, we portioned each element carefully. The amount of saturated fat and sodium aligns with our carefully constructed Dietary Guidelines while still bursting with flavor.

How to Store and Reheat the Leftover

To store the cooked Cajun shrimp and rice, we recommend keeping the dish in an airtight container or wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerated Cajun shrimp stay fresh for 3 - 4 days while frozen ones will last up to 3 months.

Having Cajun shrimp leftovers in the fridge means that your next meal is a breeze. And not to worry, once reheated properly, the dish will retain its original flavor and texture beautifully. 

It’s best to heat the shrimp up using a similar cooking technique on the stovetop. Simply add a little olive oil or butter to the pan and warm them up until they’re heated through.

What to Serve With

We served the succulent Cajun shrimp and rice over a bed of hot rice so as not to waste a single drop of the flavorful sauce. The dish is delicious, versatile, and can be served in different ways to make it a balanced meal.

Save

Our Greek salad is perfect for those heavy, protein-rich mains. It’s lightly touched with vinegar olive oil dressing to tickle your taste buds and balance out the flavor. And there’s still plenty of room for a glass of lemon watermelon juice to liven up your palate, allowing you to enjoy the meal even more.

Want More Shrimp? Check These Out!

• Shrimp Paella Recipe
• Mongolian Shrimp Recipe
• Shrimp Louie Recipe
• Blackened Shrimp Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Our Cajun shrimp and rice recipe introduces an impressive dinner made with succulent shrimp and crunchy vegetables that are lightly seasoned and sautéed in butter.

- by Tuyet Pham, Luna Regina, 2022-04-18

Pin Print

• cook TIME 15 mins
• prep TIME 10 mins
• total TIME 25 mins

• COURSE Main Course
• CUISINE American
• SERVINGS
  4

  servings
• CALORIES 487 kcal

INGREDIENTS

1x2x3x

• 12 oz peeled and deveined shrimp (equals to 22 oz raw)
• 4 oz red bell pepper (chopped)
• 4 oz onion (chopped)
• 3 1/2 cups cooked medium-grain rice
• 2 tbsp garlic (chopped)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)

INSTRUCTIONS

Image instructions

1

Season 12 oz shrimp with 2 tbsp garlic, 2 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp sriracha, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Marinate the shrimp for 5 minutes.

2

Meanwhile, heat a pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 oz bell pepper, and 4 oz onion. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Transfer the cooked veggies to a plate and set aside.

3

In the same pan, add 1 tbsp olive oil and the marinated shrimp. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.

4

Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the pan and sauté the shrimp for another 5 minutes or until the surface gets lightly charred.

5

Return the stir-fried veggies to the pan. Stir occasionally to combine the vegetables and shrimp, about 1 minute.

6

Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp parsley and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes.

7

Serve over warm rice.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts

Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 487Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g

22%

Saturated Fat 5g

31%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 266mg

89%

Sodium 561mg

24%

Potassium 612mg

17%

Carbohydrate 53g

18%

Fiber 2g

8%

Sugar 3g

3%

Protein 36g

72%

Vitamin A 1448IU

29%

Vitamin C 43mg

52%

Calcium 128mg

13%

Iron 4mg

22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keywords: cajun seasoning for shrimp, cajun shrimp, cajun shrimp recipe, how to make cajun shrimp